Foreign Students on the Rise, Contribute $354 Million to Economy

ST. PAUL (Nov. 17, 2014) — International students have a significant impact on the Minnesota economy, spending $354.2 million a year in the state, according to a new report released today by the New York City-based Institute of International Education.

The group’s 2014 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange said the number of foreign students in Minnesota increased by 4 percent to 13,765 during the 2013-14 academic year. This marks the eighth straight year that the number of foreign students increased in the state.

In recognition of foreign students, Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed this week International Education Week in Minnesota. The event, which celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide, was first held in 2000 and today is celebrated in more than 100 countries.

“International students enhance the cultural, academic and economic values of communities throughout the state,” said Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). “With such a positive impact on the state, we’re pleased to see the number of students from other countries increasing each year.”

According to the new report, Minnesota is ranked 19th nationally for the number of students from other countries attending college in the state.

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities had the most foreign students in the state, with 6,621 enrolled at the campus. That was followed by 1,272 students at St. Cloud State University, 1,044 at Minnesota State University Mankato, 506 at Minnesota State University Moorhead and 486 at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

Students from China accounted for 29.8 percent of foreign students in the state, followed by South Korea (10 percent), India (8.9 percent), Saudi Arabia (5.4 percent) and Nepal (4.2 percent).

Study Minnesota, a new nonprofit group run by Minnesota educational institutions, was created to coordinate efforts to increase the number of international students in Minnesota. Study Minnesota is supported by DEED’s Minnesota Trade Office and the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Institute of Educational Exchange study estimates that more than 340,000 jobs in the United States are supported or generated as a result of international student spending on tuition and living expenses. International students contributed $26.8 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2013-14 academic year, a 12 percent increase from a year earlier, according to the study.

Go here to see the Open Doors report, including a state-by-state breakdown of spending by international students.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us athttp://mn.gov/deed/ . Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/mndeed .